In a new interview with Revolver, Lars Ulrich discussed the fact that PANTERA will be joining METALLICA on a massive North American stadium tour in 2023 and 2024.
As previously reported, PANTERA surviving members, Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown, reformed the band with Zakk Wylde on guitar (from OZZY OSBOURNE and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and Charlie Benante on drums (from ANTHRAX).
Lars said: “I think that the idea that they’re out celebrating the music and the magic of PANTERA is … I know there’s been a lot of talk in the community about whether people support that or not. But I’m the type of person, if Glenn Hughes wants to go out and play a DEEP PURPLE set, I’d support that.
“I’m always in favor of people following their musical and creative ambitions; so this PANTERA reunion, I think, is good,” he added. “And obviously having Charlie up there is great. I saw a video from one of the Mexico shows that felt like they were in the pocket. It’ll be fun to have them out.”
Ulrich talked about the longstanding relationshoip between METALLICA and PANTERA, which goes back to a time even before Anselmo became a part of the band. He said: “We met the brothers on the Ride The Lightning tour and became friends with them. This was in Dallas in — what — 1622 or something? It was about 400 years ago. We obviously loved both of them, and they had a posse down there, and we would see them whenever we came through Texas. We watched the band evolve over the years from more rock vibes into that creative, unique force that they became. So, we’ve had a relationship with them for decades and decades.”
Dates and tickets for METALLICA‘s upcoming North American tour with PANTERA can be found here.
According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band’s founders, drummer Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who last year said Wylde wouldn’t tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It’s unclear what changed his mind.
